Jewelry system using interchangeable earrings

ABSTRACT

A jewelry system to removably attach at least one earring to a necklace bail is provided as per this invention. The jewelry system comprises a necklace bail with two sections, a front section and a back section. The front section and the back section are attached using a hinge mechanism. The at least one earring is removably attached to the necklace bail using either at least one hole on one of the two sections, if the at least one earring is of post-style, or using at least one of hook or spring-gate snap hook or lever-back hook, if the at least one earring is of dangle-style.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/041,417, filed Aug. 25, 2014, by Laura Suzanne Powers, the complete text of which is included by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a jewelry system and more specifically it relates to a jewelry system that allows an earring to be removably attached to a bail or a pendant of a necklace.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Often women lose one of the earrings from a pair of earrings rendering the other earring unusable. Also, it becomes cumbersome to carefully store the other earring someplace safe in the hope that the lost earring can be found again someday. Further, with the growing prices of jewelry, to not be able to use the other earring is a lost investment.

In past, several methods and devices have been proposed to provide a solution to the problem of storing the other earring or using the other earring as jewelry. However, none of the existing methods and devices has provided a satisfactory & easy to implement solution and has numerous limitation and drawbacks. Clearly, there is a need for a solution which should be easy to implement to allow storing the other earring while also permitting its use as jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry system that allows an earring to be removably attached to a bail or a pendant of a necklace.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry system that allows an earring to be removably attached to a bail or a pendant of a necklace without the use of tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry system that allows an earring to be removably attached to a bail or a pendant of a necklace so that in case a user loses an earring from a pair of earrings at least the remaining single earring can be put to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry system that allows a post-style earring to be removably attached to a bail or a pendant of a necklace.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry system that allows a dangle-style earring to be removably attached to a bail or a pendant of a necklace.

To achieve these objects and more, the present invention provides a jewelry system to removably attach at least one earring to a necklace. The jewelry system comprises a necklace bail or a pendant (hereinafter the term ‘necklace bail’ has been used to represent both ‘necklace bail and ‘pendant’) and at least one earring removably attached to the necklace bail.

The at least one earring can be either of post-style or of dangle-style. To removably attach the at least one earring of post-style, the necklace bail comprises at least one hole to allow post of the at least one earring to pass through. To removably attach the at least one earring of dangle-style, the necklace bail comprises at least one of a hook, a spring-gate snap hook (also known as spring-ring) or a lever-back hook.

The necklace bail may comprise two sections, a front section and a back section. The front section and the back section can be attached using a hinge mechanism known in the prior art.

All the advantages and features of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. These advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the drawings below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a jewelry system as per an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the jewelry system with an earring attached as per an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the jewelry system with a front section and a back section attached using a hinge as per an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the jewelry system as per an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the jewelry system as per an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a jewelry system as per an alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the jewelry system with a front section and a back section attached using a hinge as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the jewelry system with an earring attached as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a jewelry system with an earring attached as per an alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the jewelry system with the earring attached as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear-side view of the jewelry system with the earring attached as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a jewelry system for dangle-style earrings as per an alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a rear-side view of the jewelry system for dangle-style earrings with a hook as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the jewelry system for dangle-style earrings with a dangle-style earring as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the jewelry system with the dangle-style earring attached as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a rear-side view of a jewelry system for dangle-style earrings with a spring-gate snap hook as per an alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates multiple views of a jewelry system for dangle-style earrings with a lever-back hook as per an alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a jewelry system for dangle-style earrings with a spring-gate snap hook combined with a hook or lever-back hook as per an alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates the jewelry system for dangle-style earrings with a spring-gate snap hook combined with a hook and an earring attached using a pendant bail as per the alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a jewelry kit for a jewelry system as per an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A device and an associated method of use as per the present invention have been explained henceforth using exemplary non-limiting embodiments with reference to the figures.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures and the following description illustrate the main elements of the invention that allows to removably attach a post-style earring or a dangle-style earring to a bail or a pendant of a necklace. This also allows the earrings to be interchangeable as the earrings are removably attached. Hereinafter, each element of the jewelry system of the present invention has been described one by one.

A. A Bail or a Pendant

The first main element is a bail or a pendant (hereinafter the term ‘bail’ is being used to denote both bail and pendant) 10, as shown in FIG. 1 (back portion is shown in FIG. 5), which is hollow like a closed oval O ring and allows the chain, cord or metal ring of the necklace to pass through, securing the pendant to the necklace chain 63, as shown in FIG. 20.

The bail is, in essence, a curved, elongated “O” ring 10. The top portion will be completely closed so necklace chain stays secure and attached. The bottom portion can be completed closed, or mostly closed, as the necklace chain, cord or metal ring will make contact with the upper portion of the bail when being worn around the neck. Some designs would allow the bottom portion to be slightly open. The bail 10 can be comprised of two elongated “O” rings on the front and back portion of the hinged jewelry device 30, that when closed and joined together form a double, triple or more “O” rings that the necklace chain is threaded through 11.

Measurement of bail 10 for the attachment system 40 for the dangle-type earring, from front to back exceeds width of the attachment mechanisms S Hook 41 and spring-gate snap hook 42, to provide a comfortable wearing experience for the user. The smooth, wider back of the bail element, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, rests against the body of the user, shielding the wearer from the smaller attachment mechanisms of the S Hook 41 and the spring-gate snap hook 42 that may not be as comfortable against the skin.

As per another embodiment of the present invention, the top portion of the bail will be completely closed so the necklace chain 63 stays secure and attached to the attachment systems 30 and 40. The bottom portion of the bail can be completed closed, or mostly closed depending on the design.

The bail may be hinged for either or both of the post or dangle earring devices, allowing it to be placed over an existing necklace on wearer's neck, without threading chain/cord through the bail.

The bail may be slightly open on the bottom allowing it to be placed over an existing necklace on wearer's neck, without threading chain/cord through the bail.

B. Decorative Front Portion of Bail

The bail 10 provides the function of attaching the pendant to a necklace chain, cord or metal ring so it can be worn around the neck by the user. The front of the bail has a decorative element 21 that is pleasing to the user and enhances the qualities of the pendant.

Decoration can be any material, any finish, smooth or with decorative attachment such as crystals or diamonds. Decoration can be any design, raised or smooth as it does not affect or interfere with operation of the unique attachment element. Decorative front of bail 21 could incorporate crystals or diamonds. Decorative front 21 can be any design, raised or smooth. Decorative front of bail 21 could be personalized or engraved.

C. The Attachment Element for Post Earring

The attachment element for post earring is a hinged pendant device or earring gondola 30 with a top bail (10, 11) for the necklace chain 63 that closes over and encases the back portion of the earring post, while displaying the earring/jewel on the front 31. The post earring is inserted through a centered hole 32 and secured with an earring catch/grip 62.

The lower attachment portion allows the user to attach a “stud” earring or any earring with a post (post-style earring) by inserting in the centered hole 32 that runs front to back and universally accommodates any post earring. The thickness or measurement of the area from front to back of the jewelry device 30 mimics the thickness of an ear plus the extra length of a standard post. This unique thickness/width prevents earring post from poking the wearer's skin and keeps the earring well centered and secure when user closes the hinged pendant/earring gondola, securing and containing the back of the post earring, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The unique thickness or width of the earring device/earring gondola 30 also allows use of any stud earring, even those that are not “lost” as a necklace, as no modification, such as cutting down the size of the post, is needed. Further, earring post grip or catch may be modified for comfort. The shape of the area with the hole for the post earring may also be changed or modified, such as using a square shape. The front section 31 and the back section 33 of the hinged earring gondola 30 may have different designs, allowing user to flip pendant gondola over to choose preferred design.

Also, additional stud/post earring enhancement may be used attached, such as an earring “jacket” or “halo” or “enhancer” that creates a layered or enhanced look. Additional dangle element can also be attached by threading onto earring post and sitting behind an earring stud, thereby creating a new look with the layered items.

D. The Attachment Element for a Dangle-Type Earring

The attachment necklace bail element for a dangle-style or dangle earring, usually characterized by hanging earrings with a small loop at the top through which a thin wire (commonly known as earwire) can pass, is a specialized S hook 41, thin in thickness yet resilient to allow sliding on and off the smaller, incorporated O ring that many earrings and charms have incorporated into their respective design. This attachment element could be a modified S curved hook 41 or a spring-gate snap hook 42 (also known as spring-ring), among others. The dangle earring will likely need to have the user open the existing “fishhook” or existing ear hook and remove it, leaving the earring itself with its incorporated O ring at the top.

The S hook/curve attachment mechanism 41 allows easy sliding on and off the hook of an earring, pendant or charm. The thin but flexible material accommodates the smaller incorporated O rings that most dangle earrings have. In the current marketplace, most bails with attachment devices on the bottom have an open O ring which is designed to permanently attach a pendant by closing the O ring with pliers once the pendant is attached. The O rings in the marketplace are much thicker, so the thinner size, resilient/flexible material as well as the interchangeable aspect of the S hook element 41 is significant to this invention.

The shape of S hook 41 will allow gravity to retain heavier earring or charm at bottom of hook. The top of S hook/curve 41 will touch or almost touch the back of bail, to avoid accidental dislodging of earring/charm, and curves back towards the front or body of the device in such a way so that it is comfortable for the wearer.

In various embodiments of the present invention, instead of the S hook 41, the attachment system may be a spring-gate snap hook 42 that is thin enough to accommodate the O ring opening that is standard with most dangle-type earrings.

Additional dangle elements can also be attached by sliding and layering several charms and earrings onto the S hook 41 or inserting and securing two or more charms and earrings with the spring-gate snap hook 42.

Further, instead of the S hook 41, the attachment device may be a lever-back mechanism 44 that closes over a curved wire hook 43 which is thin enough to accommodate the O ring opening that is standard with most dangle-type earrings.

E. Interchangeable Earwires for Earrings

An earwire 50 can have spring-gate snap hook 51 incorporated, allowing any dangle or charm or anything else that can fit to be interchangeably used as an earring, by opening the spring-gate snap hook 51 and attaching the item. Additionally, this allows a pair of dangle earrings to be used interchangeably, as a pendant (using one earring) or as a set of earrings, and does not limit user to only work with “solo” dangle earrings. Further, the earwire is not limited to a “lever-back earwire” or “fishhook” earwire 50.

The dangle earring will likely need to have the user open the attachment ring of the current “fishhook” or existing ear hook and remove it leaving the earring itself with its incorporated O ring at the top. The spring-gate snap hook 51 accommodates the smaller incorporated O rings that most dangle earrings have and provides an attachment method allowing easy and secure on and off in case user wishes to use dangle or charm as an earring again.

As long as a dangle or charm fits onto the spring-gate snap hook 51, the interchangeable earwires 50 can make an earring out of any jewelry findings, as per various possible embodiments of the present invention. Further, items could be layered to create different effects and designs.

F. Earring Renaissance System or Jewelry Kit

The jewelry kit, as shown in FIG. 20, contains all of the elements of the jewelry system of the present invention to provide the user with all items needed to make full use of the “earring to pendant” system as per this invention, and provides interchangeable items such as, earwires 50 and special earring backs/clutches 62 to hold the post-mounted earring in the earring gondola 30 without wobbling and adding an element of security.

The jewelry kit could have additional beads to enhance the final product, and could also contain necklace chains or cords 63 and additional earring clutches 62, jewelry components, either pre-manufactured or as of yet to be invented. There could also be an educational aspect using a website and video to show people how to use the device creatively.

Further, the jewelry kit could offer different colored items, such as gold or silver, or blue, red-themed kits. There could be birthday or Christmas kits. Also, there could be various possible designs and colors for the earrings and the attachments of the jewelry system. There could be an ongoing expansion as to what the kits offered.

These jewelry elements 30 and 40 adapt an earring into a necklace solving the problem of losing one earring and not having a practical use for the remaining earring. Often earrings are heirlooms, have sentimental value or have great value in materials or precious stones. These jewelry elements (30, 40) provide a sleek, comfortable-to-wear and easy-to-use solution to allow solo earrings and charms a new life as a necklace with little or no modifications needed to the original piece.

These two jewelry elements 30 and 40 have a bail element where the necklace chain, cord or ring 63 is attached and an attachment device 41 for the earring or charm. For dangle-style earrings, there is an S hook attachment 41, on the lower portion. The S hook 41 is made from a thin but resilient material, such as surgical steel, which accommodates smaller incorporated O rings that most dangle earrings have. The shape of S hook 41 will allow gravity to retain heavier earring or charm at bottom of hook. The top of S hook 41 will curve and touch the back of bail 40, avoiding accidental dislodging of earring/charm.

Instead of the S hook 41, the attachment device may be a lever-back mechanism 44 that closes over a curved wire hook 43 which is thin enough to accommodate the O ring opening that is standard with most dangle-type earrings.

For post-mounted earring the bail (10, 11) is comprised of two sets of coupling, elongated O rings on the front 31 and back 33 of the hinged earring gondola, that when closed and joined together form a double, triple or more set of coupled O rings that the necklace chain 63 is threaded through thus securing the pendant 30 onto the necklace chain 63.

The bottom portion is hinged 34 so that when open the user can easily put the post of earring into the hole 32 that universally accommodates any post earring. The thickness of the pendant or earring gondola 30, when closed, mimics the thickness of an ear plus the extra length of a standard post, so the wearer is not poked with the sharp earring post, and the back of the earring is contained and hidden in the decorative pendant 30.

Further, earwires with Spring-gate snap hook attachment allow interchangeability. Spring-gate snap hook 51 accommodates the smaller incorporated O rings that most dangle earrings have and provide a secure, interchangeable attachment method. This allows a user to have the option of putting any dangles on the interchangeable earring wires 50, so they can wear them either as an earring set, or could wear one as a pendant. It also allows users to layer findings and charms to create new designs.

The jewelry kit, as shown in FIG. 20, contains all of the elements and jewelry findings to provide the user with all items needed to make full use of the “earring-to-pendant” system and provides interchangeable items such as, earring wires 50 and special earring backs/clutches 62 to hold the post-mounted earring without wobbling, by adding an element of additional security. Without a jewelry kit the user would need to seek out certain jewelry findings, which can be done, but would not be as convenient as having all of the needed elements in a kit.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of the present invention have been achieved by providing the above system and method. Various modifications to the above described invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the above description and the legal equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A jewelry system to removably attach at least one earring to a necklace bail, comprising: a necklace bail; and at least one earring removably attached to the necklace bail.
 2. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hole to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of post-style.
 3. The jewelry system of claim 2, wherein the necklace bail has an inverted container shape, and wherein the open end of the post of the removably attached post-style earring remains inside the inverted container and does not touch the body of an user of the jewelry system.
 4. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 5. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one spring-gate snap hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 6. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one lever-back hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 7. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the necklace bail comprises a front section and a back section, and wherein the front section and the back section are attached using a hinge mechanism.
 8. The jewelry system of claim 7, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hole to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of post-style.
 9. The jewelry system of claim 7, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hole on the front section and at least one hole on the back section, and wherein a first earring of post-style can be attached to the front section and a second earring of post-style can be attached to the back section.
 10. The jewelry system of claim 7, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 11. The jewelry system of claim 7, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one spring-gate snap hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 12. The jewelry system of claim 7, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one lever-back hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 13. A jewelry system to removably attach at least one earring to a necklace bail, comprising: a necklace bail, wherein the necklace bail comprises a front section and a back section, and wherein the front section and the back section are attached using a hinge mechanism; and at least one earring removably attached to the necklace bail.
 14. The jewelry system of claim 13, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hole on the front section and at least one hole on the back section, and wherein a first earring of post-style can be attached to the front section and a second earring of post-style can be attached to the back section.
 15. The jewelry system of claim 13, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 16. The jewelry system of claim 13, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one spring-gate snap hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 17. The jewelry system of claim 13, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one lever-back hook to removably attach the at least one earring, and wherein the at least one earring is of dangle-style.
 18. A jewelry system to removably attach at least one earring to a necklace bail, comprising: a necklace bail, wherein the necklace bail comprises at least one hole; and at least one earring removably attached to the necklace bail, wherein the at least one earring is of post-style.
 19. The jewelry system of claim 18, wherein the necklace bail has an inverted container shape, and wherein the open end of the post of the removably attached post-style earring remains inside the inverted container and does not touch the body of an user of the jewelry system.
 20. The jewelry system of claim 19, wherein at least one dangle-style earring can be slidably attached on the post of the at least one post-style earring. 